Invasive Species

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Invasive Species

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By Ben Elliott

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Why do we need to understand our monsters? When a terrible act occurs, our first instinct is to ask, “Why?” What drove someone to commit such horrors and atrocities? By psychoanalyzing how we are, and are not, like them, we can find comfort and create a sense of distance from the unsettling.

But sometimes, monsters are just evil.

That’s the core idea that’s been fueling the Alien franchise for the last 45 years. Designed by Swiss artist HR Giger, the alien creature that appeared in Ridley Scott’s 1979 original Alien embodies a terrifying mystery. With its distorted, humanoid form and lack of eyes, it exudes an unsettling unpredictability, similar to iconic villains like Darth Vader or Michael Myers. Yet, everything about it — from its metallic tongue to its slimy teeth and elongated head — radiates a sinewy menace that sets it apart.

Alien, 1979

Alien: Romulus 2024

And then there’s the procreation. These creatures require a host to incubate, latching onto their victim’s face and implanting an embryo that eventually bursts through their chest. This visceral body horror makes the alien feel like a living embodiment of disease, an unstoppable force that invades and destroys from within.

This concept continues in Alien: Romulus, director Fede Alvarez’s newest addition to the franchise, which opens at The Triplex this week. Romulus aims to bring the series back to its roots, recreating the tense, tactile horror that made the original so iconic.

The heroes in these movies never have time to ask about intentions, or seek solutions. They can’t even defeat these creatures — their victories are just a delay until the next encounter. But there’s something cathartic about watching someone face down an insidious, unrelenting evil, even if the victory is only temporary.

Alien reminds us that while we may not always understand or defeat the monsters in our lives, confronting them head-on is a triumph in itself.

Showtimes

Showtimes Freakier Friday | 1:00PM, 3:30PM, 6:00PM, 8:30PM The Life of Chuck | 1:15PM, 4:15PM Highest 2 Lowest | 1:45PM, 4:45PM, 8:00PM The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg | 7:00PM

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